The Pendulum

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James1:5-8NIV

A double-minded person is unreliable, unhelpful, or as James puts it, ‘unstable’. Jesus’ half brother links that unstable mind to doubt, and warns that they should not expect God to work on their behalf. It would be a sad curse indeed if we could not expect to receive anything from the Lord because we doubted that He was capable of help.

In the same way, a pendulum will swing from one side to the other, never finding the truth in the middle, or rest long enough to sense or feel it. When the pendulum in my living room clock stops swinging, the clock stops too and becomes useless. Who needs a clock that doesn’t tell the time?

I am old enough to remember society having a set of moral and ethical values which were considered as ‘normal’. It wasn’t that we walked around with a set of rules in our pockets, we seemed to be wise enough to know right from wrong. Fast forward a short two generations, and that pendulum has swung to the other extreme. We are double-minded and unstable, but the leadership of our western civilised nations don’t, or can’t, see it. Surely we have been here before though?

It has been said, correctly I think, that “the one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history”. Cast your mind back to your high school history lessons and ask yourself what came just before the fall of every great nation, country, or civilisation? In every case, the moral compass of the people collapsed into a level of evil and debased living which was not accepted or practiced previously. The pendulum had indeed swung, and the populations in general had become double-minded and unstable.

I hope, trust, and pray that the pendulum of our nation’s sinful practices has reached its extreme, and will soon start the return swing back towards the God fearing country we once knew. As christians we know that God hates double minded people, but loves it when we follow His law. Lord, help us to be single minded with our focus on You.

I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. Psalms119:113NIV

Equal

The words ‘equal’ and ‘equality’ have been exercising my mind lately. They are used extensively by the media, and various groups who want the same advantages as others. I started by looking up the dictionary definitions, and found the:

Definition of equal: being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value. Identical.

Definition of congruent: identical in form; coinciding exactly when superimposed.

Now the Lord God said, “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.” Genesis 2:18 AMP

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 NIV

Unfortunately, and sadly (I think) society has decided today that men and women are equal in all aspects of life to the point that they are congruent (see the definition above). It is patently evident that God did not make man and woman the same. They are complementary one with the other. The best examples of marriage I know, occur when one makes up for the other so that there is harmony and balance in the relationship and the children benefit. In any union where each partner wants to be superior, and acts that way, disaster is not far away.

So what did Paul mean when he said there is neither male nor female, but one in Christ Jesus? Based on Scripture, it cannot mean that they are both the same in all aspects, or considered equal. There is a saying that the ground is level at the foot of the cross, meaning it doesn’t matter who you are, or the life you have led, salvation is freely offered to the sinner and that would be the same for man and woman.

The family unit is at its strongest when mum and dad take their God given roles seriously, and do not try to usurp His will to be something that is not God’s. We (society) have now welcomed and encouraged the so called ‘equality’ of two men or two women in marriage. A child can now be raised in a home which is not God ordained, but do we care? Not really because we have swallowed satan’s lie that men and women are equal in all aspects of life. After all, the law says it is ok, so it must be so, right?? The more ‘enlightened’ women now say that they are every bit as able as men, and they can do anything a man can do, because they are equal.

Why do we not have men’s versus women’s football teams? Or mixed gender relay races versus an all men’s foursome? Or why is the female fire officer not ordered first up the high extension ladder with a water hose over her shoulder? Or a man in the delivery ward having the baby while his wife watches anxiously? Can the husband naturally feed his baby? Or why does the toddler run to his or her mum when they are hurt? Or why does the teenager go to dad for those serious teenage talks, or advice about his new girlfriend? Why are the women softer hearted and gentler in spirit? What makes a man primarily want to provide and protect his wife and family? Answers are not needed to any of these questions.

I can understand and perhaps even see where the unchurched and unsaved might think that men and women are fully congruent (equal), but not when it comes from a Bible believing Christ follower.

When you are faced with the statement that men and women are completely equal, ask in what way?

Reflection?

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.                                                                  Ephesians 5:11-12 NIV

It’s all around us, in our neighbourhoods, communities, and countries. I sometimes wonder if it’s the same in every nation around the world. Have some escaped? The trouble is this: the appearance of this particular ‘reflection’ is everywhere, but rarely seen by our own eyes, and seldom if ever in our families or circle of close friends.

Lurking behind all these closed doors must live a number of horrible people. They yell at everyone in the family group, use profane language, swear openly and often, have affairs, live an adulterous life, be secretive to their spouse, abuse their own children, lash out causing severe physical harm which sometimes needs hospital care, and even to the point of murder. Did you know about this? When you see and meet your neighbours, do you ever wonder what goes on behind their closed doors. Are they all safe, or in some kind of danger?

All of these terrible practices go on week in, week out on the movie screens and they don’t always carry a warning. When any question is raised with the movie industry, we are told they are only reflecting society. They don’t make society what it is. Really? Do you believe that explanation? At least you can avoid the cinema, and choose wisely and carefully those things you and your family watch. But what about the TV in the corner of your room? Let’s be honest, every soap and reality show depends on screening any or all of these salacious activities. It is not even safe to watch the trailers for some programs which will appear at any time of the day, interrupting a program which is safe!

What should we do when faced with these evil lifestyles on our TV? They have no place in our homes or lives, but we make excuses for them in the interests of the wider storyline. When we have a believing heart, and an open faith, we must “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness done by the ungodly, as the Bible says: For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:10 NLT